Opening Day

Opening Day
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

It's a cold and slightly wet opening day here at Nationals Park and the Nats are already down 2-0. Sitting in a sky suite with a bunch of other tech geeks makes it much warmer.

Dylan Art

Dylan Art
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

A Dylan creation. Interesting new type of plane.

Sam Art

Sam Art
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

A little something Sam created and is hanging at school. It's good to be home.

Grand Californian

Grand Californian
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

I've spent the last 6 days in Disneyland and haven't ridden a single ride. The hotel is beautiful, it mimics the great lodges built by the railroads up in yellowstone and glacier. I was arranging a car with the concierge this afternoon and someone came over and said the giant fireplace was broken. I was going to suggest they throw another log on, but remembered it's Disney, gas fireplace.

Another national meeting is almost over and I'm on a 6am flight out of LAX tomorrow. Looking forward to seeing the family and what I'm hoping is great progress on the new kitchen.

Meet the Orioles

Meet the Orioles
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

The boys team this year is a local favorite. Opening ceremonies were yesterday and their first game is today. I'm going to miss the game but I'm sure I'll get a score to post later today.

Soho Snow

Soho Snow
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

Woke up to a dusting of snow in New York. Got the Acela home and I'm at batting practice again.

Bar Reflections

Bar Reflections
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

Listening to some cool Jazz at the Jazz Standard in NYC. It's still early.

Jazz Standard

Jazz Standard
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

Great food and a little Jazz on East 27th street.

Batting Practice

Batting Practice
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

They had a birthday party from 1 to 3 at Shadowland, then batting practice from 4-5, now swimming from 6 to 7. Busy day shuttling kids around and doing some kitchen stuff shopping. We bought faucets, drawer pulls, dimmer switches and receptacles. The cabinets arrive on Tuesday and the big construction begins. We will probably be mostly kitchenless for 4 weeks. That should be fun.

Happy St. Patricks Day

Happy St. Patricks Day
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

The boys gettin in the groove.

Mountain Retreat

We are back from the mountain retreat and smack dab in the middle of a busy week at work. Tomorrow is St. Patricks Day so that will give some relief but then all sorts of work activity till the 1st of April. The kitchen re-modeling project has begun by finishing of the utility room in the basement so we can put the washer and dryer down there. Bernardo is basically tiling the back room in the basement that we didn't tile a few years ago when we re-did main basement rooms and is getting all the plumbing, gas and electric put in to house the washer and dryer that are currently on the first floor. The new laundry room will allow us to utilize the space where we currently have the washer and dryer and put in a giant refrigerator, a wine fridge, a prep sink, more counter space and of course cabinets. I wasn't so sure of this strategy since we have to walk down an extra flight of stairs to do laundry but I will have a 50 bottle wine fridge on the first floor, thus saving me from walking downstairs as often to get wine out of the basement wine fridges. It should all work out.

Anyway, happy St. Patrick's Day everyone and I've posted a bunch of pictures from the weekend on my flickr account. Enjoy.

Peter Pan

IMG_5146
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

The boys did some bungee ballet yesterday afternoon at the Big Top up here. No flips but Sam did his impression of Peter Pan.

Snow Machine

IMG_5163
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

We went on a nice twilight snowmobile tour last night, the boys first. They liked it but it went up and down some big hills and I think they were a little nervous hanging on back. It was a nice end to the weekend up here in the mountains. We head home to work and school today.

Here Comes the Sun

Here Comes the Sun
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

We stayed off the slopes today and tried some tubing and swimming. We also have a snowmobile tour in about an hour, which should be fun. The snow stopped and the sun came out this morning and starting the spring thaw again. Lots of relaxing fun.

Winter Soak

IMG_5122
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

Great day of skiing at Snowshoe with fantastic snow all day long. It just kept coming and coming out there. The boys had a good time learning to snowboard and spent a little time with them as they fell down the hill. I believe I heard one of them say that they think skiing may be easier and what they should do next time. Watching the snowboarding lesson, I think skiing is easier too.

We got off slopes at 4pm and hit the outdoor hot tub to soak that sore knee. It's about 25 degrees, snowing with a 10mph wind out there. It was a tough run to the condo when we got out. All is well now and we are warming up by the fire before we head out to dinner.

Snow Bunny

Snow Bunny
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

We rode with the boys on their first chairlift ride, they both fell getting off. They seem to be having a great time in school and learning the basics anyway. The runs on the Mountain are in great shape and the lift lines are short. Nicole and I are taking a little noon break then we will get back on the slopes for a few more runs.

Snow Ninjas

Snow Ninjas
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

Getting ready for some serious snow thrashing.

Check out my HipstaPrint

Check out my HipstaPrint
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

Shot with my Hipstamatic for iPhone
Lens: Kaimal Mark II
Flash: Off
Film: Kodot XGrizzled

Snowshoe

Snowshoe
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

It's snowing like mad up here. It rained most of the drive then turned to snow as we went up the mountain. It's supposed to snow tonight and most of tomorrow. That should be good for skiing.

Shake for Two

Shake for Two
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

In Moorefield WV. Snowshoe here we come.

Baseball Begins

Baseball Begins
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

It gets cold when the sun goes down but the season has to begin. Three weeks till season opening and the boys are a little rough in the fielding department.

Sweet Messages

Sweet Messages
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

Desert at Eve includes a little message for us. Nice touch.

End of Season Party

End of Season Party
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

Big team party last night to celebrate a great season for the little Blue Devils. We came a basket short of the championship but nobody has the talent these kids had. They just needed a basket worth of luck. On to baseball.

Ten Years



It's been ten years since this photo was taken and I still pretty much recognize the people in this photo. I actually wore that suit until about a year ago when it pretty much fell apart. It's been a fun trip and we added a couple little miracle children to the mix a little more than 8 years ago that has made it even more fun. Here's to ten more.